even though this was supposed to be mitt romney's strength. if you would have asked us a year ago, even six months ago the race in ohio is going to come down to the economy. most people would have bet that would be bad for the president. right now it's looking not so bad after all, shep. >> shepard: debates sometimes change people's minds. the first presidential debate a week from today. what do we know about how the president is preparing? >> well, we are learning some new information. the president on sunday is going to go to nevada for a couple of nights. and is he going to do some debate prep. john kerry we already knew would be the person who is going to stand in as mitt romney in the mock sessions we are told. they have already had a few of those sessions in washington. now they will be taking it no nevada because it's close to colorado. battleground state. they are trying to lower expectations in the white house by saying look the president hasn't debated since john mccain four years ago while mitt romney had a couple dozen debates in t